The Lord is with you wherever you go

Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

This is my command---be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.                 

This verse follows one of my favorite verses of the Old Testament.  Joshua 1:8 gives the secret to a prosperous and successful life:  “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success”.  So, in light of verse 8, Joshua then gives this command—be strong and courageous and do not be afraid or discouraged.  In both verses, there is an underlying reason why anyone can claim prosperity, success, strength, courage, fearlessness, and encouragement—the fact that the Lord and His Word are always with you.  Yet, it takes great faith to believe and practice what these verses promise. 

When these verses were written, the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land of God.  There was a lot of fear facing the unknown despite God’s promises.  Remember that ten of the twelve spies (Joshua and Caleb the exceptions) had reported that this land they were about to invade contained people of great size and strength (Numbers 13:28-33).  Their fear became disbelief that the Lord was with them.  Therefore, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  Joshua now was reminding all the people that they had no reason to fear entering the Promised Land because indeed the Lord was with them.

You read these verses, you are reminded to be strong and courageous, not to fear nor be discouraged because the Lord God is with you always.  Yet, be honest…..do you feel strong and courageous?  Are you fearing anything right now?  Are you discouraged right now?  Be honest!  If your response is positive, that you do feel strong and courageous, that you fear nothing (but God) and you are not discouraged over anything, you are richly blessed and it shows how deep your faith really is.  But, if your response admits problems with feeling strong and courageous, that you are afraid of what you are facing in your life and/or you are discouraged, then you need to pour over this verse and others (e.g. Isaiah 41:10, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7) and ask God to give you what you need.  Breathe in the Spirit of God and all His strength and courage and breathe out all the fear and discouragement in your heart.  Allow the Lord to take control of you mind, emotion, and will, indeed your soul.  Praise Him for His presence in your life.